Medicare Part A is hospital insurance that helps cover the cost of inpatient care. For most people, Part A is premium-free because they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes during their working years. Part A is the foundation of Medicare coverage and is available to eligible New Mexicans across all 33 counties.
2026 Part A Costs
| Cost | 2026 Amount |
|---|---|
| Premium (40+ quarters of work) | $0/month |
| Premium (30-39 quarters) | $311/month |
| Premium (fewer than 30 quarters) | $565/month |
| Inpatient Hospital Deductible | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Hospital Coinsurance (Days 61-90) | $434/day |
| Lifetime Reserve Days (Days 91-150) | $868/day |
| Skilled Nursing Facility (Days 21-100) | $217.00/day |
What Part A Covers
- Inpatient Hospital Care: Semi-private room, meals, nursing services, medications, and other hospital services during an inpatient stay
- Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF): Up to 100 days per benefit period following a qualifying 3-day hospital stay
- Home Health Services: Part-time skilled nursing care, physical therapy, and other services for homebound patients
- Hospice Care: Comfort care for terminally ill patients with a life expectancy of 6 months or less
- Inpatient Psychiatric Care: Up to 190 days lifetime in a psychiatric hospital
Understanding Benefit Periods
A benefit period starts the day you are admitted to a hospital as an inpatient and ends when you have been out of the hospital or skilled nursing facility for 60 consecutive days. If you are readmitted after 60 days, a new benefit period begins and you must pay the deductible again. There is no limit on the number of benefit periods.
Tip: A Medigap plan can help cover the Part A deductible and coinsurance costs, potentially saving you thousands of dollars. Learn about Medigap in New Mexico.
Part A Coverage for New Mexico Residents
Part A benefits are the same regardless of which New Mexico county you live in. However, the hospitals and skilled nursing facilities available to you will vary based on your location. Rural counties may have fewer facilities, making it important to understand your nearest options.
Connect with a local agent to understand Part A coverage and hospital options in your area.